PSC/PR/Comm.(XV)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE FIFTEENTH MEETING OF
THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its fifteenth
meeting held on 17 August 2004, adopted the following Communiqué on the
situation in Burundi:
Council,
1.
Strongly condemns the massacre of Congolese refugees of the
Banyamulenge community, which occurred in Gatumba, Burundi, on the night of 13
August 2004, and expresses its condolences to all the bereaved families. Council
urges that the perpetrators of this hideous act be identified and brought to justice
without delay;
2.
Expresses its support for the efforts of the United Nations to investigate and
establish the facts on the Gatumba massacre, in accordance with the UN Security
Council Presidential Statement of 15 August 2004;
3.
Stresses the urgent need to establish the Joint DRC/Rwanda Verification
Mechanism, in keeping with the spirit of the 27 November 2003 Declaration and on
the basis of the commitments made in Abuja on 25 June 2004. In this respect,
Council requests the Chairperson of the Commission to undertake the necessary
consultations with the concerned Parties and the United Nations in order to speed-up
the establishment of the Mechanism;
4.
Recalls the decision taken at its 12th meeting, held on 4 July 2004, in which
it requested the Chairperson of the Commission, pursuant to the communiqué of 21st
Summit of the Regional Initiative, to examine the activities of the PALIPEHUTU/FNL
in the light of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Convention on the
Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, as well as other relevant Decisions and
Instruments, and to submit to it appropriate recommendations on the measures that
could be taken. Council also reiterates its appeal to all Member States to
implement the decision of the 21st Summit of the Regional Initiative to impose, with
immediate effect, restrictions on the movements of the leaders and members of the
PALIPEHUTU/FNL;
5.
Stresses the urgent need to neutralize the negative forces in the DRC and in
the Great Lakes Region by taking steps to put an end to their criminal activities, and
requests the Chairperson of the Commission to initiate without delay consultations
with all the countries of the region, as well as with the United Nations and the other
concerned actors, with a view to submitting to it proposals on the measures that
should be taken to accomplish that objective;
6.
Appeals to all the countries of the region to exercise restrain in their
response to this latest massacre and to preserve in their efforts to consolidate peace
and stability in the Region;
7.
Decides to remain seized with the matter.